8 Golden Moments: The best of the Globes

The Golden Globes are an event like no other. Even if you set yourself up to expect the unexpected, and well you should considering the amount of food and alcohol at the star-studded party, you are bound to be surprised at some point each and every year. Whether by a spaced-out speech or an unexpected win, you never know what’s going to happen! So I've taken a look back and picked out just a few of the moments that have remained unforgettable.

Did your favourites make the list? Read on and find out!

• Tracy Morgan says what? (2009)

Blurring the line between reality and fiction, the Golden Globe audience wasn't sure whether they were watching Tracy Morgan or his "30 Rock" alter-ego, Tracy Jordan, accept the Best Comedy Series award on behalf of the cast. The comedy's creator and star, Tina Fey, passed on the chance to speak saying she'd struck a deal with Morgan that if Obama won, he would "speak for the show from now on." His speech included shout-outs to "Lorny Mikes" (series creator Lorne Michaels) and the "craft services lady" and ended with perhaps the most random line in acceptance speech history: "I'm the face of post-racial America. Deal with it, Cate Blanchett!" We're still scratching our heads trying to figure out how he came up with that one.

• Mickey Rourke shines the spotlight on dogs and birds! (2009)
  

With comeback kid Mickey Rourke, you should expect the unexpected. And while his best actor win for The Wrestler might not have come as a shock to anyone, his speech contained a couple of surprises. Not only did he thank his dogs in his acceptance speech, perhaps a first at the Globes, he also called out the film's director, Darren Aronofsky, as "one tough son of a b@@@h". The result? Aronofsky flipped him (and the television audience) the bird. You better believe that one wasn't included in the West Coast broadcast.

• Ah, Nerds! Tina Fey tells off her online nay-sayers (2009)

After claiming her second consecutive Best Actress in a Television Comedy award, the talented funny lady took some time to clue the audience in on the ups and downs of modern celebrity: "If you ever start to feel too good about yourself, they have this thing called the Internet. You can find a lot of people there who don't like you." But she didn't just leave it there, taking the time to name drop three non-Tina fans from the Los Angeles Times award blog, The Envelope. "DianeFan, you can suck it. Cougar Letter, you can really suck it 'cause you’ve been after me all year." A note to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), have Tina win an award every year and you're guaranteed comedy gold.

• Who said Hollywood was out of ideas? (2006)

Proving once again that witty speeches can completely liven up any award show, Hugh Laurie found a creative and unique way to keep his acceptance speech for Best Actor in a TV Drama for his role on "House" short and sweet. The English actor explained that he had 172 people to thank but knew no one would sit through such an extensive list. So instead, he announced he'd put all of the names onto pieces of paper and would draw three names at random "and everyone else can just lump it." So Laurie got to thank his hairstylist, his script supervisor and his agent. As he read out the last name, he took a closer look and announced, "That's not my handwriting!" Laurie, along with Tina Fey and Ricky Gervais, should teach a Hollywood Master Class on accepting awards. No one does it better.

• Just say Nicholson (2003)

A staple of every big Hollywood award show since the 1970s, Jack Nicholson is often considered the best audience member to have up front for any joke-cracking presenter. In 2003, the tables turned and he was called on stage to accept the Best Actor in a Drama trophy for his performance in About Schmidt. He was loose with compliments, jokes and seemingly random observations, even referring to his co-star Kathy Bates as "The Bates Motel" for no apparent reason. Normally the free-flowing alcohol at the Golden Globes can be blamed for any odd behaviour but in Jack's case, he let us in on his secret: "I took a Valium tonight." Of course you did, Jack. We expected no less.

• When in doubt, blame the TelePrompter! (2001)

Elizabeth Taylor is a certifiable Hollywood icon but she proved that icons are most certainly human when she fudged her role as Best Picture presenter. Despite never presenting ourselves, I bet most of us know the drill - walk on stage, read the nominees, open the envelope, and announce the winner. Well either she's never been to an award show or Liz decided she wanted to shake things up a bit because the moment she stepped up to the mic, she ripped open the envelope and prepared to congratulate the winning film. Thankfully, she had enough wherewithal to stop when she heard the gasps and shouts of "No!" from the audience though the show's producer, Dick Clark, had to come on stage and explain the order to the legend. The winner? "Gllllaaaaaaaaaadiatoooooooor!" But by then, it was pretty much a moot point.

• Do they give awards for giving away awards? (1998)

"I don't deserve this" is just one of many acceptance speech clichés that run rampant through every award show (see also: "I didn't think I'd win" and "But I didn't have anything prepared") but in 1998, Ving Rhames proved it's not always an empty sentiment. When the star hit the stage to receive his Best Actor in a Mini-series or Made for TV Movie award, he surprised everyone by calling up fellow nominee Jack Lemmon so he could give the legend his trophy. It was a touching tribute and one that got both actors a standing ovation. And if you're wondering, Lemmon was able to keep the award and the HFPA sent Rhames a duplicate.

• A pit stop on the way to the podium... (1998)

Best Actress in a TV Drama winner Christine Lahti found herself in the wrong place at the wrong time in 1998. When presenter Michael J. Fox read her name aloud, TV cameras zoomed in on an empty chair and attendees craned their necks for any sign of Lahti moving among the crowd. Finally the cameras caught sight of the actress running out from the back of the room. Once she reached the podium, she caught her breath and managed to confess, "I was just flushing the toilet and someone said, 'You won,' and I thought they were joking!" Most embarrassing moment ever or best moment ever - you be the judge. She also seemingly kickstarted a trend as Renee Zellweger, Best Actress winner in 2001, was also caught in the ladies' when her name was announced.

What's your favourite moment from past Golden Globes telecasts? Tell us in the comments!

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